BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series Recall R/1999/104: Brake Lights May Fail To Operate Remain On Or Flicker, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 15 Dec 1999
- Launched
- 5,634
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1999/104
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series vehicles built between 16 September 1999 and 28 October 1999. The brake light switch circuits may become defective and cause the brake light circuit to fail stay on continuously or flicker. The dealer will replace brake light switch with a modified version. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The brake light switch circuits may become defective and cause the brake light circuit to fail stay on continuously or flicker. In extreme cases the brake switch could overheat.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: BRAKE LIGHTS MAY FAIL TO OPERATE REMAIN ON OR FLICKER Defect: There is a possibility that the brake light switch circuits may become defective and cause the brake light circuit to fail stay on continuously or flicker. In extreme cases the brake switch could overheat. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles and replace brake light switch with a modified version.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: brake lights may fail to operate remain on or flicker.
The Fix
The dealer will replace brake light switch with a modified version.
Are You Affected?
3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series built between 16 September 1999 and 28 October 1999 may be included. BMW estimates 5,634 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with BMW, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with BMW.
- Book with any franchised BMW dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1999/104. See how to get a BMW recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Series, 5 Series Touring, 7 Series, 7 Series - High Security and 2 moreChecking and re-securing the air-conditioning wiring harness | Urgent | R/2026/092 | |
| 2 Series, 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, 4 Series and 7 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2026/054 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series and 3 moreReplace the driver’s airbag: takata PSDI-5 | Urgent | R/2025/327 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
| 5 SeriesProgram control units (CoC documents) | Low | R/2026/075 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/1999/059 on 30 Jul 1999, for possibility that gearbox may lock up. The one launched after it was R/2000/135 on 26 Feb 2001, for lower steering shaft may fail. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 1999 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1999/104, launched 15 December 1999. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.